The calm before the storm.... if the storm if a 4 day weekend! The holiday weekend is upon us and for once, I can't wait. I actually have some plans and I'm excited for some serious down time. I say that every week but it doesn't really ever change, does it?

The week was interesting... a very slow work week, I did some article writing, and my interview with South Street Company came out! I talked about my blogging and social media strategy and it was super exciting to see it on paper (err...screen)

What was so exciting about this week? The Pretty Little Liars series finale! I wrote an article on this so hopefully that'll be out soon!

I did a little beauty shopping this week (along with purchasing these monkey earrings from Kate Spade since there is 30% off sale items with code SUNNY) so there will be a few more new beauty posts soon!



I'm watching General Hopsital on DVR right now so my mind is a little spacey, and it's Thursday night so I'm pretty tired.. let's get right into the links I loved!

• Book clubs are popping up all over the place... are they the new networking? 
• Steve Burton (Jason from General Hospital) is coming back .. but there is already someone in the role of Jason! What will happen now? Here are the best soap opera cast reversals... 
• I love reading about other company's social media strategy
• Crystal infused highlighters? Yes please! 
• The best non caffeine ways to wake up? This is something I really need... 

Since I was a little girl I loved being alone. My mom tells me stories of how I would sit in my room for hours, on the floor, playing with my 'people'. She would call out to me "Briana, come sit with Mommy" and as a 2-3 year old girl I'd shout back "I'm playing with my people!"

As I got older, my room was always a safe haven. I could entertain myself for hours reading books, writing stories, watching TV or just relaxing. I don't need a lot to keep myself occupied and I'm perfectly fine entertaining myself.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that I was first born so for 3 years, I did have to occupy myself and maybe it has to do with the fact that my sister and I are very different so we never really liked the same things... so I always had to occupy myself.

However, I'm just someone who is content being alone. I can do things on my own time without having to worry aboout other people, and can really do whatever I want when I'm alone.

If I'm shopping alone I can go to whatever store I want; I can go to eat wherever I want, and I can leave the mall whenever I want. If I'm out with my friends, I usually always bring my own car so I know I can leave whenever I want too.

Maybe I just don't like relying on other people (as I'm writing this I'm having a deep psychological revealation) but I think it's just that I don't mind being alone.

When I went to college, it was a really big adjustment because I was NEVER EVER alone. I'd cherish the mornings when I would wake up and all 9 of my roommates were still asleep, or if I was the first one to get back to the room after a long weekend. It was just nice to escape and be by myself. It was a very overwhelming experience to constantly being surrounded by people 24.7.

 Within a year, I got really used to it and by senior year, I never wanted to be alone. I craved people's company and always wanted to be doing something. It was a culture shock when I came back home and I was alone all the time again. I no longer enjoyed being alone and I think that's why I became so depressed.



I've since found a good balance and I think I realize why alone time is important. Below are a few reasons why I think being alone is a good thing... (at times)

• You learn more about yourself and what makes you happy. 
• You get away from the hustle and bustle of the world and can really think things through
• Relax! Being alone means you can rest and relax with anyone bothering you. Recharge those batteries!
• Hobbies; when you're alone you have time to do the things you like. For me it's writing and reading, for you it may be drawing or crafting!
• Pampering: I love to pamper myself when I'm chilling alone. Face masks and hair masks galore!

I am by no means a really religious person. I went to Catholic school my entire life (even college) and do believe in God, Jesus, the whole thing. I don't go to Church every weekend but I pray every day. I would say I'm more spirtual than religious but that's just my definition.

I believe that there is a higher power guiding us through our lives and helping us make decisions. I like to think that my life has a bit more meaning and that I'm on the right path, no matter what.

That's why 'When God Winks At You' is a book that I truly cherish. While in college, one of my sorority sisters started saying 'Oh that's a Godwink' and once she explained what it was, it was truly comforting.

God winks are little signs that God gives you to let you know you're on the right path, to let you know you're not alone and that everything is going to work out; for example, making you late to a job interview so you meet someone else on the way that gives you your dream job.

She found out about God winks from a book by SQuire Russel.

Two years ago, I finally decided to read one of the many God wink books called "When God Winks on Love" and it was all about how God guides you to the person you're meant to be with it. You may be seperated when you're 19 years old but years later, you discover you have a mutual friend and you link up again, in your 70s.

There is always a plan and God will always give you what is right for you.


Well, that God Winks on Love book was incredible and I knew from them that I had to read the rest of them.

I finally finished "When God Winks At You" and it was just as good as the Love edition. It is filled with stories about individuals finding their true meaning in life; hearing all the stories about people who somehow found their way through little Godwinks is so inspiring. It's a solid read whenever you need a little pick me up.

I promise it's not a preachy book, it's really comforting and moving. I'm not into that preachy stuff so I wouldn't recommend anything that I didn't believe in. Please go read this book -- I promise you'll feel so much better about life and all the bad stuff. It makes sense... it makes you believe that everything happens for a reason.

I will be picking up the rest of the books and continue to be inspired by Godwinks everyday.

xoxo
B

In the past few months, I have not purchased that much makeup. Nothing was catching my eye and I was pretty much set with everything I had. The new collections weren't as exciting to me as past ones so I was sitting a lot of new releases out.

That is until I saw NARS was expanding their Orgasm collection. Orgasm is one of the best selling blushes in the world and when I first got my hands on it many moons ago, I was drinking the Kool-Aid. It's a gorgeous color that seems like it would be common enough but it is so utterly perfect. It's a shimmery, peach, pink, coral color that flushes your cheeks with the perfect amount of glow. It's an obsession, a lifestyle...

So, when I saw that NARS was releasing a liquid version of their famous blush shade, as well as a lipstick, I jumped on that train immediately.

My obsession with cream products is making a full-force comeback this summer, just as it did last summer, so I needed to get my hands on this LIQUID (not cream) product.

I ordered both products from Sephora the moment they were available and I've fallen in love.

The blush comes in typical NARS packaging; frosted glass bottle and a matte black cap. There is a handy little pump but I kind of like unscrewing the top and dotting the blush straight from the little spatula.




First off, this baby blends like a dream. I suggest blending fast and not leaving to dry on your cheeks but when you do blend, it's very easy. I take a stippling brush and just swirl and dab lightly on the apples of my cheeks and backwards. It leaves the most perfect flush of color and a very light luminous finish.

There is no glitter or real shimmer to the liquid verison of Orgasm. The color is pretty much identical to the powder verison though.




I haven't tried it yet but I think layering the powder blush on top of the liquid would probbaly look amazing.

My favorite way to wear this blush is with a no makeup makeup look; just a perfect flush of color on your cheeks with some mascara and concealer, and you're set!

I talked about the blush in my latest Youtube video!



All in all, I think this is a must-have for everyone. If you're not into liquid/cream products, I do think you'd still like this because it's very easy to work with and doesn't leave a sticky or tacky feeling behind. If you're not into Orgasm, NARS has a few other colors you can try out! If you're hesistant, ask for a sample in Sephora -- or buy from a place like Sephora or Nordstrom because their return policies are GOLDEN!

This is for sure my favorite product for summer!

What's your beauty product for the summer?
xoxo
B

Happy Friday! It felt like a very long week yet short at the same time; I'm very happy for the weekend though, as I always am!

I'm off from work today, a summer Friday; I laid in bed until 1 PM and then went to the gym. I was feeling very lazy and unmotivated but once I got to the gym, I felt awesome. That's two weeks in a row that the gym made me feel good! We may be onto something here...

Tomorrow I was supposed to go to a conference held by Cosmopolitan Magazine but I'm kind of feeling like I want to pass. I've been going, going, going and I just feel like I want this weekend to rest. Also, the idea of going into Manhattan on a day when I don't have to truly exhausts me.

That being said, I'll probably go shopping, go to the cemetery, gym, and run a few errands. I was an anxious mess all week long so I feel like I just need to take some time for myself.

Do I say that every weekend? I feel like I do, but it's true! Self-care is very important to me and my body responds very well to it.



Anyways... below are my links of the week!

• I loved this office tour/interview
• The best natural beauty products at Sephora right now  
• Even though it doesn't happen too often, I LOVE getting to work super early
• How to create a brand, based on ban.do strategy
• The Internet's best concealers -- yes please! 

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I'm back with another handbag review and we're doing a Kate Spade one! I have (had) a lot of Kate Spade bags in my collection and they are by far my favorite. 

Since I was little I've been a natural worrier. After 9/11 my parents had to get me a dog to keep me occupied and my mind off of the terrorist attack -- that's how big of a worrier I was and still am.

That worry has since translated into stress and anxiety; in high school and college I was stressed about everything and in between, the anxiety struck. I've discussed my anxiety before but don't think I ever really wrote an entire post dedicated to how I deal with it. Stress and anxiety go hand in hand for me now because if I'm stressed out, it creates anxiety and if I have anxiety, it causes stress.

I also want to make sure I write this more generally so that even if you're a college student dealing with the stress of exams or student activities, you can find an answer in this too.




Whether you're feeling like you can't breathe because of an anxiety attack or because you're drowning in stress, I hope something in this post can help you!

• Nerve Tonic: I am NOT A DOCTOR but I need to mention this. I wrote an entire post about this pill two years ago but felt like I needed to mention it again. I've gone through so many bottles since discovering it after I graduated but it's worth it. Whenever I feel an anxiety attack coming on, or just so much anxiety that I can't focus, I'll take two pills and I feel the cloud lift. I don't know what it is, but I promise it helps. Hylands creates a lot of pills for babies and children I really trust them. ALSO, I'm not addicted and haven't had any side effects and like I've said, I've been taking them for years.

• Essentials Oils: Since discovering essentials oils I've fallen in love. I have a diffuser and bought these off of Amazon and diffuse constantly. Whenever I feel very stressed out, I close my bedroom door, turn the lights out, and lay in bed while lavender oils diffuse. I also carry around this calming roller ball that I apply to my pulse points whenever I'm a little too high strung

• Water: I just bought this swell bottle so I am always equipped with a good amount of water, no matter where I am. I already drink a lot of water (besides coffee and tea, it's the only thing I drink) but I found that drinking water helps ease my anxiety and stress. It could be in my head but I feel like I read that somewhere...

• Candles: This is probably my favorite thing on the list -- I'm addicted to candles. Whenever I need a pick me up I turn on my string lights and light a few candles and it immediately calms me down. I cannot stop buying Evil Queen candles so they're currently my favorite to burn. The smell and vibe of a good candle is enough to ease any trouble! 
• Movies, TV, books: Whenever I'm really in a funk, I try to occupy my mind so a good book or television show (or a Youtube binge) is just what the doctor ordered.

 I'm someone who loves paper; books, magazines, planners, notebooks, cards, etc. I love holding an actual paper in my hands, I'm constantly printing out things I could read online or writing down lists in one of my 50 notebooks.

I've been that way forever and I've documented that many times before. School supply shopping was always my favorite and when I graduated college, I knew that shopping trip in August would be the one thing I missed most. However, I've found my way around that and I'm always adding to my ever growing collection of stationery.

I don't discriminate either; I love all kinds of paper goods from things in the dollar section at Target to my Henri Bendel planner. I actually have to stop myself from buying more notebooks on the daily because I have too many and not enough uses.

I figured it'd been a minute since I wrote about stationery and with the start of planner season around the corner, what better time than the present!

I'm going to break down my current favorites as well as some items I have my eye on!



1. Louis Vuitton Agendas: This was a big win of 2017 and I think it'll continue to be my favorite for years to come. I use two of these (I got them pre-loved for like $50 each which is a STEAL), one for my blog planner and one for miscellaneous lists. I keep them with me at all times and they are so handy because you can truly customize it.

2. Small, Hardcover Notebooks: I have so many random notebooks sitting in my drawer and they all have something in common; they have random lists in them from over the past year or so and they're all small, hardcover notebooks with adorable sayings and such. I literally had to stop myself from buying this cute marble notebook because I have about 6 of a similar size not getting enough love.

3. Whitney English: Years ago I did a post on Whitney English & The Day Designer for Target; I haven't picked one up since then but am always tempted each year. Last week while I was in Target, I bit the bullet and bought an adorable leopard planner. I don't know what I'll do with it but I have it and I love it! (The planners are not online yet so check your local Target!)

4. May Designs: Can I really do a stationery post without mentioning my beloved May Designs? I don't know how many I have in my collection but I stop myself weekly from buying more. However, they just released an appointment layout that I have my eye on! Also, don't even get me started on the folios -- they are too cute for words.

5. Notepads: As much as I love notebooks and agendas, I love a good old fashioned notepad just as much. Making a single to-do list on a nice piece of paper, whether it's adorned with something cute in the corner or just a regular paper, I'm addicted.

Honorary mention: Post-its are God's gift to the Type A and I just got these ADORABLE coffee & donut ones from Target. I've had these marble ones in my collection for a while too and I love them. They make any note feel that much fancier. Also, I've started an obsession with these awesome diamond pens.

PS: I just discovered this Etsy shop and I need everything from there immediately. She has the cutest notebook designs!

PPS: Evelyn Henson also has some wonderful notebook prints that I've been dying to get my hands on for years but never pulled the plug!

Below are some items that are currently on my wishlist:

This week's wrap-up is a bit late because Thursday I was at work late, and Friday I was at events in Long Island all day for work.

Right now, it's raining outside and I have candles lit and my string lights on. I woke up this morning in a fit of rage (don't ask me why), went to the gym, made myself a nice breakfast of waffles and eggs and feel so much better. Honestly, I never feel better after the gym but my goodness, I felt awesome afterward.

Tomorrow is Father's Day, something that is super hard for me, but I'll be going to New Jersey to celebrate with my grandpa and also my uncle's birthday. It'll be a good day, I'm looking forward to some family time.

It's the season for new agendas and I bought TWO new ones (I don't need two but I was in Target yesterday and saw the new Day Designers and needed it) so expect a post on them very soon.

I'm also looking to spruce up my bedroom a bit. It's been almost a year that we've been living in this apartment and I just feel like my room needs something new. Stay tuned for that!



On that note, here are my favorite links of the week:

• A very interesting article about working from home
• This article makes me want a Ringly
• Estee Lauder is getting rid of the Estee Edit but investing more into Victoria Beckham
• Jobs that bookworms would love... can I have all these jobs?
• One of my favorite websites celebrated a birthday this week and I loved this article showcasing it
• I need this new skincare product
• A wonderful profile on a young, woman beauty brand creator!

Is anyone else excited to see something else besides a thriller being reviewed on the blog? I am and I'm the one writing/reading!

I've been out on my audiobook game for a while and whatever was being reviewed over the past few months were books I finished a while ago. I've heavily been into the podcast game on my commute but I haven't let my actual reading game slip.

I bought this book on a whim a few months ago and finished it a few weeks back. It was a super quick read but really informative.

"The Glitter Plan" follows the journey of Pam & Gela, the creators of Juicy Couture, the fashion house we all wore in the early 2000s and loved dearly. I was really interested in seeing how the business started and get any advice I could from the founders of one of the biggest companies to splash onto the scene.



The book follows how Pam and Gela met, and how they started out together in business with a maternity line (!!!) and then wanted to find the perfect t-shirt. That is how Juicy was born.

It takes you along for the ride and really shows you how the ladies started the business from the ground up; they brought their kids and dogs to work, modeled the clothes on themselves, and were even dying and cutting up t-shirts on their own. It was so interesting to read about their humble beginnings, and all throughout the book, you can tell that they kept themselves grounded.

The beginning was a bit slow and boring but only because I was ready to get to when they named their brand 'Juicy Couture' and when they started making sweatsuits.

I will not tell a lie, when they talked about how the velour sweatsuit came to be (right after the terrycloth sweatsuits which I had no idea, I always assumed velour came first) I got the chills up and down my body. I legit almost teared up because it was this 'ah-ha' moment of when P&G's lives changed and when they made their mark in the fashion industry.

The book takes you straight through the rise and fall of Juicy Couture; they tell you all about how they sold the business to Liz Clairborne and how they knew it was time to leave.

It was so interesting to see their journey and how much they loved their business, and how hard it was for them to leave it.

At the end of each chapter, there was a summary of business tips that directly correlate to the what the chapter was about.

The book was part business manual, part memoir and I thought that it fit really well. It wasn't overly businessy and serious but more fun and quirky, just what you would expect from the ladies that brought you hot pink velour sweatsuits.

I thought as a business manual, it was quite useful. It shows how hard success is to come by but how you can really do it if you're down to get dirty. As a memoir, I thought it was equally great; you got an inside look at how they rose to the top and how it affected their lives.

If you're someone who is really into business/self-help books and someone who LOVES fashion, I HIGHLY recommend this! You have nothing to lose by reading it but everything to gain!

xoxo
B

Last week I did a post on my summer must-haves in terms of fashion and one of those must haves were graphic tees.

I explained how when I was younger I loved graphic tees and how they went out of style but now they're back. Everyone has their own take on graphic tees and they are definitely my favorite article of clothing.

When I was in college, my go-to outfit was always leggings and a sorority tee. It didn't matter whether it was rain, shine, or snow, you could find me across campus wearing a trusty pair of letters. It was so bad that the last 2 weeks of school I wore letters every single day (without repeating a shirt mind you) and my friends kindly asked me to wear something else. I was subconsciously preparing for the day when I no longer was allowed to wear them.

After I graduated in 2014, I continued to wear my sorority shirts but that only continued for a year or so. Now, I need another uniform to take the place of my letters. Whether it's lounging around the house or running errands, I need something simple to throw on, feel cute, but not feel so put together that I'm trying.

That's where graphic tees come in. I throw one on with leggings and flip flops or slides and I have my summer outfit. It's a no brainer and I love it!

This is a sweatshirt from ShopBetches but they have some great tees

My custom made Bow & Drape shirt (another great place for graphic tees)

An old Victoria Secrets shirt that always attracts the wrong kind of attention

What I love most about graphic tees is that they send a message; they're fun, quirky, and can define your personality.

I know I included some favorites last week but I felt like I needed to really show you my favorites. I recently rediscovered one of my favorite sites for graphic tees -- ShopRiffRaff -- they have so many cute ones and they're not crazy priced.

Nordstrom is also always a good spot to find something adorable; even better if you could find some Wildfox on sale at Nordstrom Rack!

Here are some of my other favorites:



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What better day to share my morning routine than on a glorious, hot Monday morning! I've been wanting to share my morning routine for quite a while but never felt it was worth it. It still may not be worth it but I really did want to share it.

My weekend routine is much different, obviously, because I'm not going to work. I'll probably share my weekend routine very soon!



7:00-7:45,Wake up:  Clearly this is a huge gap in time and that's because I set my alarm for 7 and then snooze for about 45 minutes. My ideal time to wake up would be 7:15 to give myself enough time to get ready.

No matter what time I wake up, I usually lay in bed for a few minutes to go through all my social media, look through some emails, and check my horoscope. (The Daily Horoscope app is my life line)

On days where I do wake up early, I'll take my time putting my makeup on and making my bed; when I wake up late, I go to work sans makeup and put it on at work.

Below are the products I mostly use when I do a full face for work:




7:45-8:10: I'm getting ready to leave the house; I grab my granola bars, almond butter + pretzels, and a Lean Cusine for lunch. Sometimes I'll take a travel mug of coffee or MY FAVORITE Caribou Coffee and head out the door. The walk to the train is 5-7 minutes so I usually get there by 8:10, 8:15 if I'm on time.





8:15-9:30: It takes me a while to get to work on the train; the subways in New York are NOT my favorite thing and when they're delayed, it's even worse. I'll listen to my favorite podcasts or an audiobook (right now I'm switching between The Royal We and The Diana Chronicles). If I get super hungry, I'll eat one of the few granola bars in my bag (my favorite is the Nature Valley Oatmeal Squares)

9:30-9:45: If I didn't bring oatmeal or cereal for breakfast, I'll stop at Starbucks (their new egg bites are such a good breakfast) or the little Parisan cafe next to my office for a pastry and iced coffee. Afterwards I head up to my office!

I spend the better part of my work morning going through emails, making to-do lists, and responding to all social media inquiries. Once 11 AM hits, my 'morning' is over and the real work begins!

This wasn't the most exciting routine but it's what my day consists of!

xoxo
B

I don't know where the week went but here we are! I only blogged twice and I really was intending to have posted every day... I don't know why I've been slacking lately but I apologize. There used to be days when I blogged 7 days a week but that is no longer. Work is on and off busy and I'm just so tired when I come home from work, the last thing I want to do is log onto the computer.

Anyways... today is a summer Friday for me and I woke up at the crack of dawn with a charley-horse cramp in my left calf. Yesterday, I woke up with one in my right calf, so I'm in pain on both legs. My charley-horse pains last a few days and my legs are usually sore for 3-4 days afterward.



I went to the oral surgeon today for a consultation to see if I had to get my wisdom teeth out and I DON'T! He said I could if I really want to but they don't hurt me and there's no need. I'm so happy because I was so scared.

This weekend is supposed to be gorgeous in New York and I don't have too many plans other than running errands but if you know me, I'm ok with that!

Now onto my links...

• Deborah Lloyd of Kate Spade is a true inspiration
• How to deal with stress from our interesting political climate
• A summer reading list you must read! 
• Beauty products to use based on your horoscope
• Why can't I look like this with a top bun?

If you read the blog regularly, you'll know that I'm not a summer gal. I much prefer fall and winter to the heated months of June-August. Throw April-September in there as well because I'm not a huge fan of those either.

However, I'm not dreading this summer as much as I have in the past. Maybe it's because it's not yet hit 90 degrees or because I have some fun plans, or maybe it's because I actually like the clothes and accessories I've been collecting in honor of the summer.



There are a lot of trends out there right now that I am totally on board with. I've already given into a few so here they are!

1. SPF: This is weird and random but I never wear sunscreen. I know it's very irresponsible of me but I just never really applied it, because I like to be tan and I never burned. That changed in recent years and I now really know the importance of slathering on the SPF. But knowing me, I can't just buy Coppertone, I need fancy, Sephora brand SPF. Last year I had a sample of the Tarteguard & Dr. Jart SPF and I loved it; this year before I went to Florida I invested in the Julep No Excuses Face Sunscreen and love it. I apply it every morning before my makeup, acting as a moisturizer/primer on my ultra-lazy days!



2. Slides: If you haven't seen a pair of slides this year, you're living under a rock. Slides are everywhere from Givenchy and Gucci to Steve Madden and Target. At first, I wasn't impressed or taken with the trend but then I saw some really fancy pairs on Nordstrom's website and instantly became obsessed. I ordered a pair of Topshop slides (similar here) which are so comfortable and easy to throw on (even easier than flip flops) and I recently got this pair of Steve Madden which I've lusted after for months. Below are a few more favorites!



3. Athleisure: This is not just a summer trend but a trend that has seen a huge spike recently. I'm not complaining; I'm obsessed! Leggings, T-shirts, sneakers... it's the uniform that every girl loves and is welcoming with open arms. I think the perfect outfit this summer is going to be a slouchy t-shirt, leggings, and your best pair of slides!

4. Graphic Tees: The 13-year-old in me is screaming that this trend is officially cool again. When I was young, Delias' graphic tees were my everything. I had to have every single catchy saying or cute photo on my t-shirt, much to the dismay of my mother. Well now I dress myself and graphic tees are back in style. Everyone has a funny saying shirt from "No Coffee, No Talkie" or "Namaste In Bed" (both of which I own). This is going to be the ultimate summer look.


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As a self-diagnosed beauty addict, I am always trying new products. I am constantly searching for the next greatest product, browsing the new arrivals pages on Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom, looking to see what my favorite brands have recently put out.

If there is a new product on the market, I usually have tried it even if it was just a bonus sample from a Sephora order.

However, all that being said, I do have some tried and true favorites. When I was thinking about what products I've repurchased I felt like I didn't have enough but when I really looked in my collection there were so many products that I've bought more than once.

Now, there are a few products that I've only repurchased once because there are a handful of products that I've loved and bought again but these are my MOST REPURCHASED (two or more times).

If you're interested in my items I've repurchased only once, here's a little look:




Now onto the big items (which are mostly skincare because obviously, we go through skincare a bit more)



1. Simple Micellar Water: This is my holy grail of face cleansers and I don't know how many times I've repurchased. I use this every morning as my cleanser instead of using an actual face wash and I love it. It's so easy and quick but also leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean without a horrible residue. I've used the Garnier micellar water and I much prefer Simple. Simple is my favorite drugstore skincare brand and I've used so many of their products but this is my far my favorite. I highly recommend trying out a micellar water.

2. Tarte Frixxtion Stick: I have a huge post on this so I won't go into too much detail but I think I've purchased 4 or 5 of these since I posted it last year. I leave it in my shower and wash my face with it every night. It's compact, easy, and I love how the charcoal really deep cleanses. Stick cleansers are all the rave right now but this is my #1 ride or die.

3. Eva NYC Hair Mask: I've used this hair mask so many times I've lost track of the number. I always switch between this and the Briogeo one but Eva NYC is cheaper and just as good. My family loves it too and it makes such a difference in our thick hair. I only wash my hair 1-2 times a week and I don't even use regular conditioner anymore. This is my holy grail, go to conditioner!



4. Tarte Eye Brightener Cream: I have a love affair with eye creams and all eye products; this is the first eye cream I ever truly loved and have purchased over and over again. It's hydrating and truly brightening; it also doesn't irriate my under eyes which is very important to me. I notice a differnce when I use this and if you need a good eye cream, try this baby.

5. Benefit Cosmetics Ooh La Lift: This was the first makeup item I ever purchased from Sephora and since then I've repurchased many times. It seems a little gimmicky but try it, just once! It brightens and lifts the under eye; it also makes a great 'primer' for your concealer.

6. Too Faced Better Than Sex: Is this everyone's most repurchased mascara? It's definitely mine and it's my go-to mascara. It creates fluffy lashes that are long and volumnious; Better Than Sex might actually be better than sex...

What is your most repurchased makeup item? Give me suggestions!! 
xoxo
B

Hello Friday! I'm feeling so much better than I was a few days ago; my cold medicine worked (Alka Seltzer Cold & Flu Nighttime) but it has me feeling very groggy so I apologize if this post is all over the place.

It was a very long/short week and it's throwing me off. I have a love/hate relationship with 4 day work weeks because it crams everything together and is just slightly more stressful, but it's worth it for a long weekend.

I have a decent weekend planned; tomorrow is my cousin's graduation and Sunday I'll probably run to the mall to pick up a few new things (even though I'm not supposed to be shopping)

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I just posted a new Youtube video about my recent J.Crew purchases and how I got dupped by a fake Celine bag!



I don't have much else to ramble on about so here's everything I loved this week:

• All of these books are on my summer reading list
• I wish I knew how to do a top knot
• How brands are using influencers like ad agencies
• I ordered the Vogue x Birchbox box -- can't wait! 
• How to follow up with your contacts and build your network

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I have the interior design gene and I get it from my mom. She's always decorated our houses with such detail and beauty. I remember when I was little, we'd constantly be in furntiure stores or Home Goods looking for new pieces to add to the home.

Sometimes I'd come home from school and the living room and dining room would be rearranged, sometimes the living room ended up in the dining room and vice versa. I always loved to rearrange my own room and see what layout gave me the best floor space.

I never minded moving so much (I've lived in 7 houses in the same neighborhood in my 24 years of life) because it meant I got to pick a new paint color, new comforter, and a new feel for my room.

As I've grown up, I've taken that love of decorating with me. With the rise of 'living' content on the internet, Pinterest, and internet based design companies, there is so much inspiration online and at our fingertips.

When I moved last summer I was ready to decorate my room the way I wanted too. I was ready for a mature bedroom with all the Pinterest elements you could image. Well, that's what I got and you can see the full tour here.



I've changed things up a little bit, added a dresser and a hangbag organizer but today I want to talk about my favorite, current decor that I either have or is on my wishlist.

Throw Pillows: I LOVE throw pillows and have so many. I think they really add something special to the room and you can have fun with them; they can reflect your personality and your mood and I love that. It's like having a graphic t-shirt with your favorite saying. All my pillows are from Dormify, which is a great website that always has a good sale and is great for young adults on a budget.



Gallery Walls
Coffee Table Books
Bedroom Update
New Room Tour

What are your favorite decor pieces?
xoxo
B